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new connection to telegraph pole - typical wait time

DodgyGeezer — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:20:32 GMT

we need a new phone cable to run from the house to the telegraph pole in the street as the current one goes though a timber window frame which is being replaced.

Can someone give me an idea of the time I need to allow for an engineer to come out, and how much it might cost.

A quick surf suggests £140 and a 3 week wait. Does that sound right?

Re: new connection to telegraph pole - typical wait time

gg30340 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:29:14 GMT

You will need to contact Openreach for an accurate cost.

https://www.openreach.com/building-developers-and-projects/altering-our-network

If you are getting a joiner to fit the window can you not ask if he can cut the old window in such a manner that it free the cable and will not damage it then place the cable in a position that it fits between the new window frame and the house wall. This would, if it can be done by the joiner, save running a new cable and its expense.

Re: new connection to telegraph pole - typical wait time

imjolly — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:15:52 GMT

@DodgyGeezer

normally when phone cable comes into home through window frame there is a small junction box where the external cable is connected to the internal cable. you could disconnect there remove external cable and get joiner to make provision for cable so you can reconnect at junction box

Re: new connection to telegraph pole - typical wait time

DodgyGeezer — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:32:47 GMT

@imjolly , @gg30340

thought photos would help. there is indeed a little junction box, also mounted onto the window frame. The new windows will be aluminium, so there's no option to put the cable through the frame.

Re: new connection to telegraph pole - typical wait time

imjolly — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:09:32 GMT

is there any chance that you are likely to move to FTTP (fibre to home) or get digital voice as that cable and box will no longer be required

Re: new connection to telegraph pole - typical wait time

DodgyGeezer — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:42:50 GMT

yes I think the best option is to go for fibre instead. Its seems the copper lines will be redundant from Jan 2027 anyway.

Re: new connection to telegraph pole - typical wait time

iniltous — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:09:08 GMT

If FTTP is available then the wiring through the window frame becomes irrelevant, but copper lines will not be redundant from Jan 2027 , that’s the end date of PSTN telephony (basically the exchange equipment that provides telephony) copper lines for some will remain long after then , after Jan 2027 telephony from BT will be IP telephony but still on copper pairs for many